A Sovereign God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #191

 

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad

and rejoice,

and give honour to him…”. Revelation 19:6-7a

I watched a movie on television recently, one that I had seen before and remembered it being a good flick; but this time I was watching intently (rather than between tasks) and it struck me how something seemingly innocent, was a direct challenge to what I know that scripture teaches.  What’s that, you might ask?  Well the movie’s main characters had opposite outlooks, one who believed that some unknown cosmic force ordered circumstances, while the other said that it was random chance, which science or mathematical probabilities could often explain.  Well, my friends, this is just not biblical, true, or acceptable to those who believe in Almighty God, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Scripture is replete with direct statements of God’s total sovereign control; and while this isn’t something that most people think about, it is the absolute foundation of our faith.  It is one of the things that brings me hope, comfort and insight into the things happening around us.  I have taught the Book of The Revelation on numerous occasions, in depth, teaching people that they can understand much of this great book (and yes there are some things that were even hidden from John; and note that this is THE Revelation—no “s”).  And like the familiar adage, “How do you eat an elephant?”, we know of course, the answer comes, “ONE Bite at a time!”  And that is how you must approach all of scripture but particularly the Book of The Revelation (and if you’ll read the title, you’ll see it’s The Revelation OF JESUS, not the revelation of specific events as such, or even the horrific things that are held in check at this time but will come in God’s time!  It is the revealing of God’s plan for His Son’s victorious coming, to judge and rule this present world in person, and eternity after that (and there is an “after that”).

Because God IS in charge, we as believers can stand confident in God’s total sovereignty in all things.  So I simply want to give you some food for thought today as you face life and its trials where ever you are!  You can depend upon God’s almighty hand at work not only in His own, but in all things!  Let’s peruse some passages of scripture in this regard, and I pray will help you to “withstand in the evil day” (See Ephesians 6:10-19).  And just on a side note, if you read my posts on Facebook there is a simple text post, but also a link to the Bible Ballistics website where it is printed with scripture in color as well as in a grammatical diagram of sorts, to help clarify our understanding (I think it’s helpful).

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:26-31

When we learn to walk in the peace, and trust in God’s sovereign control, the confidence we find is unequaled; I can testify to God’s faithful provision and care in the midst of some of life’s greatest heartaches, for I know who IS in control!  HE has never failed me, and HE won’t!  And just a note on the big, scary “predestination” subject, it is used here of our state IN Jesus, not how we got saved.  I have no intention of trying to explain God’s foreknowledge and how that works out in humankind.  I will simply say that we must let scripture say what scripture says, and the same Word of God that talks about “predestination”, “election”, and “choosing”, also says clearly that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. (See Romans 10:13, John 3:15-16) We humans have an affinity for making what is simple for God, hard for people to understand.  So for today, we’ll just leave this discussion for another day.

Let’s peruse some passages that confirm God’s total control over all things.  I pray that you will find comfort, peace, and even some answers to question that may have plagued you.  God loves you and has things in control—even though on our human side of things they are totally askew; God still does “Reign”!

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering,

and come before him:

worship the LORD

in the beauty of holiness.

30 Fear before him,

all the earth:

the world also shall be stable,

that it be not moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad,

and let the earth rejoice:

and let men say among the nations,

The LORD reigneth.”  1 Chronicles 16:29-31

And a word from Isaiah:

“Therefore my people shall know my name:

therefore they shall know in that day

that I am he that doth speak:

behold, it is I.

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,

that publisheth peace;

that bringeth good tidings of good,

that publisheth salvation;

that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”   Isaiah 52:6-7

Just a few of the many references from the Psalmists also help:

“The LORD reigneth,

he is clothed with majesty;

the LORD is clothed with strength,

wherewith he hath girded himself:

the world also is stablished,

that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old:

thou art from everlasting.” Psalm 93:1-2

“The LORD reigneth;

let the earth rejoice;

let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.”   Psalm 97:1

“O worship the LORD

in the beauty of holiness:

fear before him,

all the earth.

10 Say among the heathen that

the LORD reigneth:

the world also shall be established

that it shall not be moved:

he shall judge the people righteously.”  Psalm 96:9-10

Now, two final passages from the Psalms.  One a reference to God’s sovereignty, the other a picture of what our response ought to be:

“The LORD reigneth;

let the people tremble:

he sitteth between the cherubims;

let the earth be moved.

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

and he is high above all the people.

3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name;

for it is holy.”  Psalm 99:1-3

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

 and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.”  Psalm 100:1-5

Amen and Amen!!!